“As a matter of fact, I did.”
Miss Wilmington gestured for Ava to sit with her on the settee. “Do you mind telling me how it looked on you?”
Ava settled beside her, surprised when Miss Wilmington poured tea into a cup for her. She was sure that she was supposed to do that for Miss Wilmington since she was the guest. Maybe Miss Wilmington did it because she was being nice.
Ava thanked Miss Wilmington as she accepted the cup. “The gown was just as lovely as you and my friend said it would be.”
Miss Wilmington’s smile widened in pleasure. “I thought it would be. I have an eye for fashion. It’s a gift. I can take one look at a lady and know what would look best on her. It’s a shame I didn’t get to see you in it.”
Since Miss Wilmington picked up her own cup of tea, Ava took a sip from her cup. When she swallowed the warm liquid, she asked, “Would you like to see me in it? I can put it on.”
With a chuckle, she shook her head. “No. That won’t be necessary. I already know that it looked wonderful on you. I was just curious about what your husband thought when he saw you in it.”
“Oh, well…” Ava wasn’t sure how to answer this particular question. She really didn’t feel like talking about the argument Brad had with his brother.
“I think I already know.”
“You do?” Ava hoped Miss Wilmington didn’t know. If she did, then she would also guess that Brad wasn’t all that interested in her, and that would be far more humiliating than getting her gown caught on a nail in front of someone she hardly even knew.
“He loved it.”
Ava relaxed. Good. She thought Brad was thrilled with the whole thing, and since she thought that, Ava saw no reason to let her think otherwise, even if it was technically a lie. Lying was wrong, but sometimes it was a lot better than the truth. If word got out that Brad didn’t want to be with her, she would die of embarrassment. This was going to be one secret she was going to take to her grave.
“I just wish I had been here to see his face when he saw you in it,” Miss Wilmington added.
How Ava wished that had been the case. But the only person who had been thrilled was Stephen, and she hadn’t been trying to impress him.
Miss Wilmington took a sip of tea then set her cup back down on the tray. “I have a confession to make. Coming over to ask about the gown was just a formality. There’s something else I came to discuss.”
Since Miss Wilmington was still smiling at her, Ava figured the topic on her mind wasn’t unpleasant. “What is it?”
“I was talking with a dear friend after we met yesterday, and I told her about you. She would like to meet you. And possibly, if things go well, you might be invited into her group. It’s a very exclusive group. Only the best ladies in London get to join. This would be a great honor for you, and I suspect that your husband would be delighted as well. Have you heard of the Ladies of Grace?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of it.” Granted, it wasn’t a lot, but she had heard it mentioned in passing. “I heard it’s a very difficult group to join.”
“Oh, it is. We don’t just accept anyone. Only the best of the best join our group.”
Feeling out of her element, Ava set her cup on the tray and folded her hands in her lap so that Miss Wilmington wouldn’t notice that her hands were slightly shaking. “You must have me confused with someone else. I’m really not suited for a group of such high esteem.” Asking Opal to introduce her to some of Lady Steinbeck’s friends was difficult enough as it was, and Lady Steinbeck didn’t have the kind of influence the ladies in Ladies of Grace did.
“Don’t be silly,” Miss Wilmington said. “You’re married to Lord Youngtown, and being married to the right gentleman avails a lady very much.”
Ava shifted uncomfortably on the settee. “Didn’t you read the Tittletattle?”
“No one in the group concerns themselves with idle gossip. We’re above that.”
“Well, you might as well know that the marriage between Lord Youngtown and I isn’t what you seem to think it is. We were both,” for lack of a better word, Ava chose to say, “tricked into a scandal. Though the scandal was exaggerated, it wasn’t in our favor.”
“You were tricked?”
Ava nodded. “There was a certain person who thought it would be amusing if Lord Youngtown and I married.” Even if she didn’t care much for what Stephen had done, she couldn’t bring herself to come out and reveal his identity.
Miss Wilmington waved her argument aside. “No one believes Lord Youngtown is capable of a scandal. We’re familiar with him. He is honorable in all things. And as you said, you were tricked into it. That means it wasn’t your fault.”
“Do you mean it? People really don’t believe the scandal as the Tittletattle reported it?”
“The Tittletattle is for idle minds. You mustn’t concern yourself with such nonsense. Now, let’s put all that aside because it has nothing to do with your membership into the group.” She clasped her hands in excitement, her eyes twinkling. “Membership into the group is something that can benefit both you and us. I won’t lie. Your marriage to Lord Youngtown is the reason you are desirable. We could use more ladies who are married to gentlemen who have managed their money as well as your husband has. But you and your husband have something to gain, too. You will become one of the most envied ladies in London. People will look at you with admiration and respect. As for your husband, a whole new world will open up for him. Those of us in the group are related to gentlemen who also do very well financially. They have business contacts that other gentlemen in London don’t.”
The last part of Miss Wilmington’s argument caught Ava’s attention. “My husband would benefit from this?”
“Oh yes. For example, Lady Eloise’s father is notorious for his shrewd business dealings. And my father fairs just as well because he often goes to her father’s dinner parties.” She patted Ava’s arm. “Imagine if your husband could go to a dinner party with my father and Lady Eloise’s father. Not only would they get along very well, but it would be very profitable for your husband. That friend of yours I met yesterday is Lord Steinbeck’s sister. Lord Steinbeck is an important gentleman, but even he can’t secure an invitation to the exclusive dinner parties that Lady Eloise’s father hosts.”
“Lord Steinbeck can’t get an invitation to her father’s dinner parties?”
Miss Wilmington shook her head. “No, he can’t. And it’s not for lack of trying. Lady Steinbeck had asked us if she could join our group because of the connections we have, but Lady Eloise wouldn’t have it. She just isn’t the right fit for our group. You, however, are. That’s why this is a great honor for you. If you don’t want to join for the benefits you receive, I urge you to think of the benefits your husband would gain.”
Ava bit her lower lip. Stephen had told her that if she could befriend ladies who had influential male relatives, it might be the very thing she needed to get Brad’s attention. If someone as influential as Lady Steinbeck couldn’t get into such an exclusive group, then Ava would be foolish to turn down this opportunity.
Ava smiled at Miss Wilmington. “I’d love to join your group.”
“You’re not officially in the group yet. You have to meet Lady Eloise at one of our meetings first. It’s just a formality. Since I approve of you, you’re as good as in the group, but the rules say you must attend the meeting so Lady Eloise can meet you for herself. As fortune would have it, there is such a meeting taking place tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. Can you make it to the Duke of Silverton’s residence by then? The duke is Lady Eloise’s father.”
Ava nodded. “I can do that.”
“Wonderful!” Miss Wilmington rose to her feet, and Ava hurried to follow suit. Miss Wilmington turned as if to leave, but then stopped and faced Ava. “There’s one small thing I forgot to mention. Would you be willing to buy another new gown? Since this is an elite group, all the ladies are required to look their very best.”
“I can wea
r the gown that I wore last evening. It’s the best thing I have in my armoire.”
“I know it’s a lovely gown, and I know that you looked beautiful in it. But it has to be a brand new gown.” She gave Ava an apologetic smile. “I didn’t make the rules. Lady Eloise did. And since she’s the leader of the group…” She shrugged. “I have to do what she wants.”
“I understand,” Ava replied. “Just how many of these meetings do you have?”
“Only one a month.”
That was twelve times a year. Which meant Ava would have to buy an expensive gown twelve times a year. She didn’t know if she really wanted to do that.
“I promise you that the cost is worth it,” Miss Wilmington said. “Think of this as an investment. Your husband will earn much more than what you’ll spend when he attends the Duke of Silverton’s dinner parties. And, since you can negotiate a good deal with dress shop owners, you really won’t be losing that much money.”
That was true. Also, Ava could only purchase gowns that she could get at a discount. Then Brad would make up for the cost, plus more when he made better business dealings. So really, he wouldn’t be losing any money. The gowns, as Miss Wilmington had pointed out, would be an investment.
“I’ll buy a new gown today,” Ava said.
Miss Wilmington let out an excited squeal and gave her a hug. “You won’t be sorry. When you see how well your husband is doing, you’ll be glad you did this. And, of course, you’ll be surrounded by a new group of friends.” She winked and then headed out of the drawing room.
Ava glanced over at the clock. If she was going to get a new gown and be back in enough time for dinner, she was going to need to head to the market at once. She went over to the cord on the wall to summon the butler so she could tell him to let the coachman know she needed a ride.
Chapter Fifteen
Once more, Brad had retreated to White’s instead of going to breakfast. He didn’t think it was possible to feel any worse than he had yesterday morning, but last evening had changed all of that. He was the biggest fool in all of London. It was bad enough that Stephen was already aware of it, but his outburst during dinner had, no doubt, left Ava with a horrible impression of him, too.
Never mind the fact that he couldn’t muster up the courage to go to her bed. He couldn’t even handle his own house. Stephen was in outright rebellion against him, and Brad had no control over him. A titled gentleman should have control over his own house. So not only was he a coward, but he was a failure.
There were some things a book couldn’t make up for, and this was one of them. What was worse was that he’d actually felt hopeful going to dinner. The book had emphasized the fact that ladies preferred a gentleman who was willing to befriend them. They didn’t just want someone who came to their beds. They wanted to spend time talking with their husbands.
He could be Ava’s friend. That would be easy. She was likable enough. And he certainly did admire her for asking the dress shop owner for a discount. He’d never heard of a lady doing that before, and it impressed him.
Brad’s plan had been to discuss her negotiating expertise after dinner, but then, the whole thing with Stephen happened and he ended up making such a fool of himself that there was no way he could face her. He wouldn’t blame her if she had nothing but contempt for him because he couldn’t control his brother. He had nothing but contempt for himself.
Brad let out a heavy sigh as he settled into the chair at White’s. He didn’t even pretend to be distracted with reading something. He just slouched down, put his chin in his hand, and stared at the corner of the room. He was pathetic. Why bother putting on a pretense? He had nothing to offer anyone. As far as everyone was concerned, he could drop off the face of the earth and no one would care, much less notice.
“You’re here two times in one week?” Tad’s familiar voice called out. “Did you enjoy my company so much yesterday that you had to return?”
Despite Tad’s joke, Brad couldn’t force a smile. He didn’t even look up at his brother-in-law. “I might as well stay here all the time. You don’t think anyone will care, do you?” Of course, no one might even notice. He could probably sit here for the rest of his life and collect dust without anyone noticing him.
Tad pulled up a chair and sat by him. Leaning forward, he whispered, “Don’t tell me that the book’s advice didn’t work for you.”
“I didn’t even try it.”
“Why not?”
“Why should I? I won’t be any good. Besides, Stephen insisted on being his usual self during dinner. After the way I acted, Ava didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
Tad’s eyes widened. “Did she say that?”
Brad shook his head. “She didn’t have to. I lost control with Stephen. There’s no way she wants to have anything to do with me.”
“Unless she actually says she doesn’t want to be with you, you can’t know that for sure. I know how Stephen is. He can make anyone lose his temper.”
“This was different. This time I left the room without finishing my meal. Trust me. The whole dinner was a disaster. Stephen is slowly ruining my life. It’s a good thing Loretta got out of the townhouse when she did.” Unfortunately, he was stuck there because he was the one who owned the place. “I thought removing his allowance would get him to start taking things seriously, but all it’s done is kept him around the townhouse all the time. Now he has nothing better to do than annoy me.”
“There are other ways you can get rid of him.”
“As tempting as it is, I’m not going to kill him.”
Tad chuckled. “That wasn’t what I had in mind. I was thinking that you could marry him off to someone.”
“I can’t do that, either.”
“Sure, you can. Marriages are arranged all the time in London. All you have to do is strike a deal with a father who would like to see his daughter married before the end of the Season. Fathers start to get desperate around this time of year, especially if their daughters are in their second or third season.”
“No, you misunderstand me. I can’t confine a poor, innocent lady to someone like my brother. No one deserves anything that cruel.”
“That depends on the lady you’re talking about.”
No. Brad couldn’t think of a single lady who deserved to be with Stephen for the rest of her life. “I suppose I could get a cottage in the country and leave him there to rot.”
“That wouldn’t work,” Tad replied. “He would only come back to London.”
Tad was probably right. His brother was lazy except when it came to the things he desired most, and London was full of guilty pleasures that amused him to no end. He wouldn’t dare go without those pleasures for the rest of his life.
“As bad as things are for you, at least you’re not in Lord Gareth’s position,” Tad said.
Brad was only faintly aware who Lord Gareth was, and that was only because Lady Gareth belonged to Ladies of Grace. He’d heard about Lady Gareth when Loretta had been a member of the group.
“What’s going on with Lord Gareth?” Brad asked.
“His last investment didn’t do so well,” Tad replied. “He hasn’t come out and said anything, but rumors are going around that he and his wife are having arguments over how much she spends on gowns. You remember how much Loretta spent on gowns when she wanted to attend any social engagement in London that had to do with Ladies of Grace.”
Brad grimaced. “Yes, my ledger remembers that all too well.” And to think the whole time Loretta could’ve gotten discounts on the gowns she was buying! “I don’t understand why anyone continues to be a part of that horrible group. Lady Eloise is nothing but a snob.”
Tad shrugged. “Loretta keeps asking the same thing. If people really understood who Lady Eloise was, they wouldn’t be so quick to be in the group. Loretta says that Lady Eloise thinks she’ll be as influential as Lady Cadwalader someday. Who knows? She might be. The Ton seems to like the snobby sort.”
As loa
the as Brad was to admit it, Tad was right about the Ton, which was why he preferred to keep to himself as much as possible.
Tad chuckled, and Brad waited for him to tell him what was so funny, but when Tad didn’t volunteer to tell him what was on his mind, Brad asked, “What is it?”
“It’s nothing, really. But, I just had the image of Lady Eloise with Stephen.”
Brad had to admit that particular image was amusing. “Out of all the ladies in London, I can’t think of one who deserves my brother more, but her father is one of the wealthiest gentlemen in London. He can buy her any husband she wants.”
“Her father is the Duke of Silverton, and he’s actually a decent gentleman. I don’t know how she turned out to be the way she did, but I don’t believe it was her father’s doing.”
“Well in that case, maybe her mother had something to do with it.”
“That would be my guess.”
“So, is Lord Gareth going to let his wife stay in the group?”
“He doesn’t want her to be in it, but he doesn’t know if he can afford not to have her in it. Being a part of her group does lead husbands and brothers to some promising investment opportunities. Lord Gareth would hate to miss out on those.”
“What good are all those promising opportunities if there’s no money to invest in them?”
“I agree with you,” Tad replied. “I’m just saying that’s why Lord Gareth is hesitating to make his wife leave the group.”
Brad couldn’t understand why there was such a struggle, but he realized some gentlemen allowed their wives to spend money needlessly in hopes of establishing a few important contacts. Fortunately, he wasn’t in the position to be that desperate.
“It’s a shame that the group Loretta and Celia formed isn’t doing better,” Tad said. “They have been doing everything they can to gain more members, but for some reason, Lady Eloise continues to have a reputation that people in London envy. Personally, I think it’s because of her father. The duke is very well known. Not only for his wealth but also for his impeccable taste. I suspect Lady Eloise wouldn’t have the reputation she does without him. I tell Loretta and Celia that, but I don’t think they understand. I think they assume that there’s something in Lady Eloise that people like. But I met Lady Eloise, and I see nothing worth liking. I think if it weren’t for her father, people would see her for who she really is.”
Married In Haste Page 11